Role of MEMS in sensors - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Role of MEMS in sensors. First things first, what is a Sensor ?. A device used to measure a physical quantity such as temperature and convert it into an electronic signal of some kind (e.g a voltage), without modifying the environment. Sensors in our body. Mechanoreceptors (feel)

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Role of MEMS in sensors

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First things first, what is a Sensor ? A device used to measure a physical quantity such as temperature and convert it into an electronic signal of some kind (e.g a voltage), without modifying the environment.

What is MEMS ? • MEMS orMicroElectro Mechanical Systemsis a technique of combining Electrical and Mechanical components together on a chip, to produce a system of miniature dimensions .. • By miniature, we mean dimensions less than the thickness of human hair !!!!

The wonder called nanotechnology • Nanotechnology is the technology of arranging atoms and molecules in a material. • This allows to alter the properties of a material and build structures of desired features. • A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter. • Nanotechnology makes it possible to manufacture devices 80,000 times smaller than the thickness of human hair !!

A simple analogy.. • The atoms in an object can be compared to the blocks in a building game. • In a building game, the blocks can be arranged to create different looking structures. • Similarly, atoms can be arranged differently to produce a multitude of devices. This forms the basis of nanotechnology.

But why mems for sensors? Sensors made using MEMS are better than their conventional counterparts because they are : • Smaller in size • Have lower power consumption • More sensitive to input variations • Cheaper due to mass production • Less invasive than larger devices So good things do come in small packages !!!!

Why measure these quantities after all ? Water temperature – effects a lot of processes directly viz. • Solubility of substances in water • Feeding and reproduction of aquatic organisms • Also, water’s ability to hold dissolved oxygen decreases as water temperature increases…. Now, this is really crucial for aquatic life !!

Importance of measuring light penetration • Indicates algal growth • Indicates presence of silt in estuaries (confluence of river and the sea). • Sediments if present in water in large amounts • May block sunlight to submerged plants • Can carry pesticides and other pollutants through the water

AUV ( Autonomous underwater vehicle ) • AUVs are unmanned underwater vehicles for real time monitoring in the oceans. • AUVs can be equipped with “Lab on a Chip”, a set of sensors developed on a single chip, using MEMS. • These “Lab on a Chip” devices can sense a large number of chemical pollutants simultaneously. AUV http://isis2.admin.usf.edu/ur/usfmagazine/spring02/rip1.html “ Lab on a Chip” www.sandia.gov/media/ chemclue.htm

Mems in oil exploration and related applications • To find potential oil reserves • To detect oil leakage from pipelines • In cases of unfortunate oil spills • MEMS sensors can help to sense information about the ocean currents. • Using this it is possible to predict how far the oil slick will be transported. • This information can aid in clean up. http://www.spiderstaging.com/rigging/images/offshore_oil.jpg

Finding potential oil and gas reserves • MEMS geophones and accelerometers can sense the vibrations sent up from the earth’s belly. • An array of MEMS geophones are planted over a wide area on the seabed. • Vibrations are intentionally produced on the ground surface using some techniques. • The MEMS devices measure the reflection of these waves from different layers in the earth’s belly. • These readings are then used to create a geological map, which indicates the size and location of the oil/gas reservoir. MEMS Accelerometer http://micron.me.dal.ca/CHIPS/penny_chip.jpg

Role of mems in coastal weather monitoring • MEMS sensors can provide vital information about wave pressure, temperature, tidal and current velocity (using devices like the MEMS Doppler current profiler). • The information obtained can be used to develop maps indicating the distribution of these parameters throughout the ocean. • These maps can provide accurate data, regarding any imminent sea storms, tsunamis (large sea waves caused due to large scale movements inside the earth’s surface).

Hydrophones )))) • Just as microphones collect sounds in air, hydrophones are small devices that detect sounds in water. • The sources of sounds in water maybe ships, earthquakes, waves or marine animals.

MEMS in marine military operations • An array of MEMS sensors spread on the ocean floor could detect the presence of enemy submarines. • MEMS sensors (pressure sensors, accelerometers etc.) are being used in anti-torpedo weapons on submarines and ships. • MEMS sensors in torpedoes are responsible for • Detonating the torpedo at the right time • Hitting the target in a crowded environment • Prevent any premature explosion

Challenges for MEMS sensors in marine environment • Complex nature of marine environment • Fouling of sensor surfaces • Selecting one out of several species • Should be able to detect extremely low levels of chemical concentrations • Resist drifting along with the currents

Future of mems in marine science • MEMS promises to be an effective technique of producing marine sensors of high quality, at lower costs. • The use of fiber optics in marine science offers several avenues in fabrication and packaging of sensors. • The use of sensor dust in the oceans in the coming years, would be the best that this technology could offer.

The BIG question “ Is MEMS really necessary?” • Still in nascent stage to be applied commercially • Research in this area is important, as it probably is the future

Acknowledgements This effort is based upon work partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0239262 and The Florida Hi-Tech Corridor Workforce Training grant Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the Florida HiTech Corridor Workforce Training Grant.